Traumatic Experiences Daily Check-in November 29, 2017

Hello all my trauma friends How are we all doing today? We all know those darn holidays are here and they just wreck-havoc with us-right? Yes they do!!. Many people Many hugs Many questions of "how you doing?" Or even being in the same house as the person who hurt you But wait..... we can prepare ourselves for all of this. Really we all can. So take a breath, sit up straight and let's read this together.

1. Have realistic expectations- Popular culture romanticizes the holidays as a time when all seems right with the world, but for many people, the reality is different. The months of November and December can be emotionally and financially stressful, especially if youre dealing with PTSD. Accept that the holidays might never feel the same to you as they did before your trauma, and dont expect them to make your stress, sadness, and negative memories go away. Consider the triggers that might set off physiological, mental, and behavioral reactions for you. These might include being around certain people, lights, crowded stores, or other aspects of the holidays.

2. Talk to the people close to you- Let your family and close friends know why the holidays are a difficult time for you and what they can do to help. If there are any aspects of the holiday season that are likely to upset you, give them advance notice. A little honesty can go a long way in helping your loved ones understand and support you. Many people dont understand PTSD. If you dont explain how youre feeling to them, they may take it personally if you arent happy or dont want to celebrate. You can open the conversation by saying something like, The holiday season is tough for me, and I want to help you understand why I might not be able to participate in all the family celebrations this year.

3. Think about your limits- You know yourself and your needs better than anyone else. Before the holiday season, give some thought to what you can handle and what you cant. Dont feel obligated to participate in any celebrations or rituals that will stress you out or bring back painful memories. Its not your responsibility to make other people happy at the cost of your mental health.

4. Communicate your boundaries to others- Decide which traditions and events you can participate in this holiday season and which ones youd rather avoid. Consider factors like how long an event will last, who else will be there, and what youll be expected to do. Then let your family and friends know so there are no last-minute surprises. If youre uncomfortable telling someone why you wont be at a gathering, its OK to just say you cant make it.

5. Know what your triggers are- Triggers are situations that aggravate PTSD symptoms, and theyre different for everyone. Anything can be a trigger, including dates, locations, and even certain smells. Being aware of your triggers will help you avoid them until you can develop strategies to cope with them.If youre not sure what your triggers are, keep track of places and events that make your PTSD symptoms worse, and pay attention to any patterns that emerge. Log any notes in a journal in order to help you remember what to avoid or anticipate.

I know holidays are not for everyone due to traumatic things happened to each one of you. But telling no lie- we all deserve to be included, loved, accepted, feeling happy and the togetherness. But mostly take care of YOU. YOU COME FIRST

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